PAUL SPADAFORA IN THE MIX TO FACE ADRIEN BRONER ON SEPTEMBER 6?

Sources close to the situation have informed us that jr. welterweight contender Emmanuel Taylor is no longer in the running to face three-division world champion Adrien Broner when he makes his return to the ring on September 6. Instead, it looks like former lightweight champion Paul Spadafora could now be the frontrunner to land the assignment.

"Paul's definitely in the running. Nothing has been finalized, but Golden Boy's matchmakers are discussing it as we speak," a source that's close to Spadafora confirmed to FightHype.com. Sporting a 49-1-1 record, Spadafora might best be known for footage from an infamous sparring session that took place over ten years ago, seemingly showing him getting the better of undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd "Money" Mayweather. Although he just suffered the first loss of his career last November, Spadafora recently rebounded with an 8-round unanimous decision victory over Hector Velazquez earlier this month.

As previously reported by FightHype.com, Broner's return is still expected to take place in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio and the card will feature several up-and-coming local fighters, including bantamweight Rau'Shee Warren and lightweight Robert Easter. Former welterweight champion Andre Berto and hard-hitting jr. welterweight Lucas Matthysse are also expected to make their return to the ring on the same date, but it's unclear if either will be on Broner's card or fighting in a different venue. That being said, one should not be surprised to see Showtime broadcast a split-venue show on that night.